Love it or hate it- we've all seen or heard of Bollywood. The industry is famed globally for its iconic music and choreography. Yet, the most well-known movies of this genre outside India are often quite outdated.

Khabie Khushi Khabie Gham and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai are classics, but they weren't made for today's audience, and the storylines can often be quite tedious and overly melodramatic. Bollywood today has a wide range of sub-genres that have completely redefined the industry since the 1990s, and they're often available to stream on services like Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Shershaah (2021)

If you liked Hacksaw Bridge, then this film is a must for 2025. It follows the real-life story of Captain Vikram Batra, a hero in the 1999 Kargil War. The movie itself blends various themes like romance, patriotism, and action to create a powerful narrative that keeps you hooked throughout.

Siddarth Malhotra and Kiara Advani both shine in their roles as the leads, creating an undeniable chemistry that helps us fall in love with the story. The soundtrack is also a bonus, giving us hits like Ranjha and Raatan Lambiyan. Be warned, though, it is a tear-jerker. Keeping tissues nearby would be handy.

Available to stream on Amazon Prime.

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Crew (2024)

A stylish heist film empowering women and highlighting outdated constructs starring Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kriti Sanon, and Tabu. The film follows the story of three flight attendants, from their hopes as children to their mediocre and underwhelming lives as air hostesses. As they navigate the challenges of being employees of a near-bankrupt airline, the group's boss dies.

And they find that he was smuggling gold. Think Charlie's Angels. It's a comedic heist movie with a killer soundtrack from artists like Diljit Dosanjh and Badshah.

Available to stream on Netflix.

Happy New Year (2014)

Picture dancing and a classic diamond heist put together. It's like Ocean's Eleven meets Pitch Perfect with an all-star cast of Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Boman Irani, Abhishek Bachchan, Sonu Sood, Vivaan Shah, and Jackie Shroff. The film follows a group of eccentric misfits who enter the World Dance Championship, but not to win.

Simply to pull off an elaborate plan to steal some diamonds from a high-security vault, Shalimar. To summarise in a few words, it's hilarious, energetic, and an emotional rollercoaster.

Available to stream on Netflix.

Dunki (2023)

A comedy-drama starring Shah Rukh Khan and Taapsee Pannu about the struggles of immigration, legal or not. The story follows a group of five friends trying to get a visa to go to the UK in the 1990s. But that proves difficult, so they decide to take the "donkey" route.

Dunki highlights the struggles of immigrants both during and after immigration and the desperation for a "better" life abroad. Again, expect tears during this.

Available to stream on Netflix.

Trigger Warning: Scenes of physical danger, emotional distress, and graphic scenes that may be intense or upsetting for some viewers.

Band Baaja Baaraat (2010)

If you loved The Wedding Planner or 27 Dresses, then this film was made for you. A vibrant rom-com filled with laughter and music. The story follows two students, Bittoo (Ranveer Singh) and Shruti (Anushka Sharma), who both start a wedding planning business together.

As success grows, so do emotions. And they both build a wedding empire while figuring out their own complex feelings. This film has definitely taught me a lot; it mixes romance and hustle, which makes it a timeless classic of the modern Bollywood era.

Available to stream on Amazon Prime.

Soorma (2018)

Diljit Dosanjh takes on the role of Sandeep Singh in this sports biopic about a hockey player who made a miraculous comeback after being paralysed from the lower abdomen by a gunshot injury. A powerful and emotional performance in a film that's both heartbreaking and uplifting. If you enjoyed Miracle or Soul Surfer, this brings a similar vibe of determination and resilience.

Available to stream on Netflix.

Trigger Warning: Includes scenes of shooting injury, medical trauma, and emotional distress related to recovery.

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)

One of my personal favourites. A road trip filled with beautiful landscapes, humour, and emotion. It follows three childhood friends- Kabir, played by Abhay Deol, Arjun, played by Hrithik Roshan, and Imran, played by Farhan Akhtar.

The trio reunites for Kabir's bachelor trip in Spain and reconnects, face fears, and heal. It might sound cringe, but it's delivered in a way that resonates with the audience deeply. It leaves viewers inspired and looking forward to the future.

Available to stream on Amazon Prime.

Yeh Jaawani Hai Deewani (2013)

Another coming-of-age film that blends friendship, ambition, and self-discovery into a cinematic masterpiece and arguably the most impactful Bollywood film of the 2010s. Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor delivered performances that made us fall in love with their characters and feel their emotions, even through a screen. Naina, played by Padukone, is a workaholic in college.

She meets her old school friend, Aditi, played by Kalki Koechlin, at a supermarket and is inspired by her carefree spirit, and in the spur of the moment, Naina decides to join Aditi and her friends on a trek to Manali that changes her life. The film follows Naina's journey from a shy college student to a confident young woman at her best friend's wedding. The movie teaches us so much about growing up and has an unforgettable soundtrack with artists like Shreya Ghoshal and Arjit Singh collaborating.

Available to stream on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube.

Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani (2023)

A film that recently won Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment at the 71st National Film Awards, and I can wholeheartedly say that I agree. The movie adds a modern element to the classic Bollywood love story and stars Ranveer Singh as the flamboyant Rocky Randhawa and Alia Bhatt as the witty Rani Chatterjee. They're polar opposites but are brought together by their grandparents' love story.

As their grandparents fall in love again, so do they. Yet it isn't all plain sailing, their families clash, and both are equally as stubborn—typical South Asian in-laws. The film challenges outdated stereotypes and fragile masculinity, even with small details like Rocky's colourful outfits and Rani's saris. Overall, the film is a ten, and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.

Available to stream on Amazon Prime.

Sonu Ki Titu Ki Sweeti

A bromance filled with comedy and love, following the story of Sonu (Karthik Aaryan) and Titu (Sunny Singh), a pair of lifelong friends. Their friendship is tested when Titu plans to marry Sweeti (Nushrratt Bharuccha), and it becomes a battle of wits between Sonu and Sweeti as he strives to protect his friend. It's both clever and chaotic. A must-see for lovers of comedies like Wedding Crashers or I Love You, Man but with a South Asian twist.

Available to stream on Amazon Prime.